Check rein hook



(No Model.)

G. W. HALL.

. GHEOK REIN HOOK.

Patented Apr. 22, 1884.

I n. FEIERS. Pimwum hu. Washingwn. n. c.

GEORGE \V. HALL, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OE ONE HALF TO EDWARD J. MORGAN, OF SAME PLACE.

CHECK-REIN HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,387, dated April 22, 1884. Application filed March 1, 18 84. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE WV. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Rein Hooks; and

I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to to which it appertai'ns to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of reinhooks in which the rein is passed in between a rigid arm, and a spring-arm closing against it, and when in place rests in a curve in the rigid arm, and is held from escaping by the Springarm.

The object of my invention is to simplify and improve the construction of this class of devices; to produce, in brief, a device which shall be pleasing to the eye, simple in operation, economic in construction, and the parts of which shall be so constructed and arranged that there shall be no danger of its getting out of repair or becoming affected by the weather.

With these ends in view I have devised the novel construction, which I will now describe, and then specifically point out in the claims.

In order that others may clearly understand the construction and operation of improved 3o device, I shall in my description refer by lotters of reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved device complete. Fig. 2 is a plan View. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section; and Fig. 4 is acentral section, showing the spring-arm as it appears when pressed back to allow the rein to pass in. f

Similar letters indicate likeparts in all the figures.

A is the base, having a threaded shank, B, by means of which the device is attached to the saddle, the shank being squared near the base to prevent it from turning.

C is the housing, having recessD and socket E, the purposes of which will be more fully explained.

F is the rigid arm, which curves upward and forward, then backward, and preferably slightly downward, thus forming a U, within which the rein rests. The tip of this arm is preferably curved upward and forward, and

is provided with a button or other ornament,

G. The rigid arm, the housing, the base, and the shank are all cast in one piece, and the recess and socket are made by a core.

H is an arm, having a curved projection, I, which passes into and closely fits the inner wall of recess D, as at D. A pivot, K, passes through both walls of the housing and through projection I, thus pivoting arm H within the recess. It will be observed in Fig. 4 that projection I bears against the inner side of the housing and serves itself as a stop to limit the out-ward movement of arm H. Ample space is allowed for the rein to pass in, but farther than this the arm cannot be pressed backward.

L is a stump or projection upon arm H, which extends downward to the bottomol' recess D, and serves as the outward abutment of a coil-spring, N, the other end of whichlies in socket E, and bears against the end of said socket, thus acting to force stump L outward, and consequently to hold the upper end of arm H firmly against the rigid arm. The up per end of arm H preferably curves outward and backward, and is provided with an ornamental tip or button, M, corresponding with ornament G. It will be observed that the construction of these tips is such as to leave a V-shaped space between them,so that the rein, when forced downward, easily presses arm H backward sufficiently to allow it to pass between the arms and into the V-shaped curve of the rigid arm.

The operation is simply to pass the rein between the arms, then let go of it, no turning whatever of the rein being required, but simply the pressing downward of the edge of the rein. \Vhen placed between the arms, the rein cannot escape; but when it is desired to release it, it is readily lifted out against the power of spring N. As in engaging, so in disengaging, no turning of the rein is required.

I am well aware that rein-hooks having a pivoted spring-arn1 are not broadly new; but their mode of operation has been very awkward, and they have been so constructed that the springs were liable to slip and break, and. also to become inoperative in bad. weather by means of water getting in and rusting the springs, or their becoming completely clogged by dirt, ice, or snow. It will be observed that these dangers are whoily obviated by my improved construction, in which the spring rests within asocket in the housing, and is thoroughly protected both at the top and back against the entrance of dirt, snow, or rain. The pivot, also being wholly within the housing, is protected by the overhanging portion thereof against the possibility of the entrance of water to rust it.

Having thus described my invention, I c1ain1-- 1. In a cheek-rein hook, arm H, pivoted within a recess in the housing, and having a curved projection which fits the inner wall of said housing and acts as a stop, and a stump which projects downward to the bottom of the recess, in combination with a coil-spring resting in a socket in the housing and bearing against said stump, whereby said spring is fully protected against the entrance of dirt or water. 7

2. In a check-rein hook, the rigid curved hook, the housing, the base, and the shank cast in a single piece, in combination with a spring, an arm pivoted within the housing, and provided with a stop to limit its motion, and an abutment against which the spring bears, said pivot, stop, abutment, and spring being all located within the housing, as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of vtwo witnesses.

GEORGE W. HALL.

\Vitnesses:

Enw. J. Moneiin, A. M. WoosTnR. 

